Back in the 1990s, Arkansas basketball was famous for its relentless “40 minutes of hell” defense.
The University of Hawaii (3-0) might settle for 40 minutes of purgatory tonight when it hosts likewise undefeated Nevada (5-0).
The Rainbow Warriors’ style isn’t like the baseline-to-baseline pressure that Nolan Richardson’s Razorbacks rode to a national championship. But UH has shown signs of developing its own successful defensive identity predicated on helping each other, taking charges and getting in the face of shooters.
But if it’s to be successful against Nevada, it’s going to have to be consistent. And that was lacking in Hawaii’s wins in the season-opening Rainbow Classic against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, North Dakota and Troy more than a week ago.
The ’Bows played solid D in the first half of all three games, but not so much after intermission … and it almost cost them the decision against the Fighting Hawks and the Trojans — both conference champions and NCAA Tournament entrants last year.
If the Warriors have too many lapses on defense tonight, the Wolf Pack could run them out of their own Stan Sheriff Center. Nevada averages 87.8 points per game with an equally impressive 50.3 percent shooting percentage from the floor. Its accuracy on the deep ball is even more eye-popping; the Pack’s 43.3 success rate from downtown is 22nd best among 351 Division I teams.
“They have many different threats from many different spots,” UH coach Eran Ganot says. “Guards who will post and bigs who will shoot.”
Like Hawaii, Nevada doesn’t depend on one player to always carry the scoring burden. Four players — Caleb Martin (twice), Jordan Caroline, Cody Martin and Josh Hall — have enjoyed high honors.
“(They have) an offense that looks like pick-your-poison,” Ganot said after Wednesday’s practice and scouting session.
Fortunately for UH, it has some versatile antidotes in Sheriff Drammeh and Mike Thomas. Drammeh can be a pest guarding point guards, shooting guards and even taller wings, and although Thomas spent his 2016-17 redshirt season bulking up, he still has the quickness to handle wings.
Their tenacity is rubbing off on teammates.
“Gibson Johnson has done a great job giving up his body,” Ganot said. “It’s contagious.”
Drammeh said that UH’s deep rotation helps it defensively as well as offensively.
“Drew Buggs is great at staying with a strong guy going to the basket. Leland Green is a great on-ball defender. I’m great at coming off screens,” Drammeh said. “From the time you’re a little kid (defensive fundamentals) are drilled into you.”
They’ve waited 10 days for Nevada since their overtime win over Troy. Drammeh said the ’Bows needed the rest after three games in four nights — and that they’d be just as motivated for anyone tonight.
“Even if it’s a D-III team or an NAIA team we would take it the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nevada has shown it can play some defense, too. it held Davidson to 41 percent from the floor in an 81-68 victory Tuesday. Even after that, Davidson is 10th in the nation in scoring with 95.3 points per game.
Still, tonight’s result figures to come down to if Hawaii’s defense can slow Nevada’s offense — consistently, and significantly.
“We say, ‘Go to work.’ Yes, that’s pretty vague,” Ganot said. “It’s a combination of work out on the floor and in the film room. Some of it is about not making the same mistake twice. Keep them fresh, mentally and physically.
“When you look at good teams, they have the ability to play good, and play sound for 40 minutes. It’s a combination of guys being in shape, plus a mental and physical component. And it has to be from everyone.”
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads Opens in a new tab.
